Compliance

  • Department of Labor exterior
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    Caroline Colvin/Facilities Dive
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    Employer groups ask court to vacate DOL independent contractor rule

    The U.S. Department of Labor’s rule “injects new inconsistencies and incoherence into the analysis of independent contractor status,” the groups said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

    By Ryan Golden • April 22, 2024
  • A 3D rendering of condenser unit or compressor on rooftop of industrial plant, factory. Unit of ac or air conditioner, hvac or heating ventilation and air conditioning system.
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    RonFullHD via Getty Images
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    DOE finalizes 4 appliance efficiency rules expected to save $33B over 30 years

    The rules include new requirements for commercial rooftop heating and cooling units set to take effect in 2029 and expected to reduce energy use about 33%.

    By Robert Walton • April 18, 2024
  • A row of servers at a data center.
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    Nikada via Getty Images
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    Uptime Institute launches data center, digital infrastructure sustainability assessment

    The assessment covers 14 key categories of data center design and operations, including facilities and IT management, to provide visibility into environmental footprints, the organization says.

    By • April 17, 2024
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    Kate Tornone/Facilities Dive
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    DOL’s final overtime rule clears White House review

    The U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule, if adopted, would raise the minimum annual salary threshold that determines overtime pay eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act from $35,568 to $55,068.

    By Ryan Golden • April 17, 2024
  • A closeup of a hand belonging to an electrician installing electric LED lightbulbs on a ceiling.
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    jittawit.21 via Getty Images
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    DOE finalizes new light bulb standard expected to save consumers $27B on utility bills over 30 years

    The new rule, slated to take effect in 2028, will cut 70 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the next three decades, the U.S. Department of Energy says.

    By Robert Walton • April 15, 2024
  • The U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C.
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    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
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    As DOE updates how it sets energy efficiency standards, advocates, legislators push it to act faster

    The U.S. Department of Energy has made progress reviewing a backlog of appliance efficiency standards, but advocates and lawmakers say the administration must redouble those efforts as the election looms.

    By Robert Walton • April 12, 2024
  • Thousands of bargaining committee members, including commercial cleaners and porters, rally in New York City in December 2023, seeking higher wages and improved benefits.
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    Permission granted by 32BJ SEIU
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    What employers need to know about union organizing in 2024

    The game has completely changed in the wake of the Cemex decision, attorneys from Cozen O’Connor said in a March 21 webinar.

    By Emilie Shumway • April 2, 2024
  • A security camera in an office building
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    Brooks, Leon. [Photograph]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    Legislation to boost federal building security, oversight awaits House vote

    The bills, approved by the Senate in late March, aim to strengthen worker safety and address project delays and budget overruns in federal facilities.

    By • April 1, 2024
  • Aerial shot of a highway alongside a billboard that reads 1:22 p.m., 110 degrees F.
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Phoenix passes worker heat safety ordinance amid rising heat, deaths

    The measure, which applies to city contractors and subcontractors, emerges on the heels of labor demands and record high temperatures last year.

    By Ginger Christ • March 29, 2024
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    Thinkstock via Getty Images
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    DOL recovers $1.5M in back wages from contractors on California project

    The U.S. Department of Labor’s investigation found that 35 contractors, spanning security, recruiting and construction, violated labor laws on federally funded projects.

    By Zachary Phillips • March 28, 2024
  • A facade of a sustainable glass office building with a tree for reducing carbon dioxide.
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    Fahroni via Getty Images
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    ICC’s decision on 2024 energy conservation code draws criticism, debate

    The International Code Council, after receiving nine appeals, has voted to move provisions aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions from the main code to appendices.

    By • March 22, 2024
  • The indoor unit of an air conditioner featuring a cassette split system on a grey ceiling
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    N-sky via Getty Images
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    Modine’s school HVAC solutions certified for safety and compliance

    It certified many of its Airedale indoor air quality products to stay ahead of new federal regulations slated to take effect in 2025, the thermal management company says.

    By • March 21, 2024
  • SEC Chair sits with an even expression
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Federal appeals court pauses SEC climate rule implementation

    Liberty Energy and its co-filers, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, argued the SEC has “no clear authority” to require climate disclosures.

    By Lamar Johnson • March 20, 2024
  • The exterior of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 3, 2024.
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    Colin Campbell/Facilities Dive
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    House passes bill to keep federal building use rates above 60%

    Under the USE IT Act, higher utilization rates would give buildings a leg up for capital improvements; lower rates could lead to space consolidation or downsizing. 

    By S.L. Fuller • March 19, 2024
  • A rooftop solar installation against the backdrop of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in midtown Manhattan.
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    FernandoAH via Getty Images
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    New York City bill would mandate solar panels on public buildings

    The legislation would require 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems to be installed on the roofs of city-owned buildings by the end of 2025, with a broader goal of 150 MW by 2030.

    By • Updated March 12, 2024
  • Employee v. independent contractor
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    Alex Wong / Staff via Getty Images
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    Independent contractor rule takes effect

    In a statement, the Society for Human Resource Management said the rule “fosters ambiguity” and deters businesses from extending essential training to independent workers.

    By Emilie Shumway • March 11, 2024
  • The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission seal hangs on the facade of its building.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Conflicting views on SEC’s authority set the tone for climate disclosure rule vote

    The newly passed regulation faces criticism from detractors, who believe it goes too far, as well as supporters, who argue it doesn't go far enough.

    By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • March 8, 2024
  • The U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C.
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    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
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    ASHRAE introduces renewable energy in latest building energy standard

    The Department of Energy has affirmed ASHRAE’s updated Standard 90.1, estimating that it will drive energy savings nationwide. States now have two years to certify that they have reviewed and, if needed, updated their codes. 

    By • Updated March 8, 2024
  • Gary Gensler points
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    SEC approves final climate disclosure rule, starts compliance countdown

    The rule passed by a 3-2 vote Wednesday morning, absent requirements for scope 3 reporting and slimmer scope 1 and scope 2 requirements.

    By Lamar Johnson • March 7, 2024
  • Gary Gensler smiles as he prepares to sit and testify
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    SEC drops scope 3 emissions reporting from final climate rule, takes phased approach to scope 1 and 2

    The agency said it removed scope 3 due to a large number of comments concerning compliance costs as well as the consistency and reliability of scope 3 data.

    By Lamar Johnson • March 6, 2024
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    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
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    GSA’s actions on deferred maintenance in federal buildings acknowledged by OIG

    The U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service arm has taken “appropriate corrective action” to address recommendations made in a 2021 audit, an inspector general report says.

    By • March 5, 2024
  • KPMG logo is displayed on its office building.
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    Jack Taylor via Getty Images
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    Scope 3 will be a focus for large companies regardless of SEC rule outcome, KPMG says

    Large companies will still need to track scope 3 emissions as part of California and European Union requirements, analysts said.

    By Suman Bhattacharyya • March 4, 2024
  • Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler speaks during a hearing.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    SEC to vote on climate disclosure rule March 6

    The vote comes on the heels of its alleged decision to no longer mandate that U.S.-listed companies report their scope 3 emissions.  

    By Zoya Mirza • March 1, 2024
  • The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission seal hangs on the facade of its building.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    SEC to scrap scope 3 reporting from climate disclosure rule: Reuters

    The omission raises concerns about alignment with California’s climate regulations and the European Union’s reporting standards.

    By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 27, 2024
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    Rex_Wholster via Getty Images
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    5th Circuit resets independent contractor fight as new rule looms

    The U.S. Department of Labor will get a second chance to defend its withdrawal of a Trump-era rule that institutes a framework for determining whether a worker can be classified as an independent contractor.

    By Kate Tornone • Feb. 22, 2024